SPRING ARBOR TWP., MI -- As you drive through Spring Arbor, don’t take those new Christmas lights for granted. But for the persistence of a Consumers Energy retiree, they probably wouldn’t be lighted at all.

In fact, they almost certainly wouldn’t have been purchased.

Last year Mel Rice, a township planning commissioner, approached the township board about the need to replace the aging Christmas lights along M-60 through Spring Arbor. The lights are not township fixtures, but Rice said it would help if he had township authority to raise private funds.

The board consented, for Mel Rice had what you might call standing. Viewed as the “chief engineer” of the annual Christmas lights, his involvement goes back nearly 25 years.

Rice and his friend Lloyd Ganton raised the funds to buy the original lights. The lights are mounted on utility poles between the Frosty Boy ice cream shop to the west and the strip mall to the east of the village.

But the old lights needed replacing. Parts were becoming difficult to find. A new basic system, sold by Bronner’s of Frankenmuth, would cost about $7,000. Adding decorations would bump up the total cost to more than $11,000.

“Donations started coming in,” he said. “Then Judi Ganton got on board, and she was a big help.”

Contributions came in from individuals, a foundation, and the Firefighters Association, which kicked in $2,000.

“So we were able to place the full order in the time allowed to get the discounted rate from Bronner’s,” Rice said.

There were in-kind contributions. For example, Fritz Advertising provided the crew and bucket truck to hang the brackets and mount the lights.

The lights are energy-efficient LED, which should save 80 percent of the expense of the old light bulbs. The decorations include candles, bells, candy canes, with star sprays at either end of the village. Near the township hall, there is a nativity star with angels on either side.

The amount raised was $11,924, which provides a little extra for related expenses.

Asked why he takes on this responsibility, Rice said, “I guess you could say it was something I had to do. I still feel that way. I’m very grateful we were able to pull it off, and I’m grateful to the community – especially the firefighters.”